The New Chapter: How Lee McAteer's Vision Reignited PROGRESS Wrestling

When Lee McAteer took the reins of PROGRESS Wrestling in 2022, many fans weren’t sure what to expect. Chapter 127 marked more than just another number in the company's iconic lineage—it was a symbolic rebirth. What followed was a journey full of risks, passion, homegrown stories, and the unwavering energy of a scene that refused to die.

The Flame Was Fading… Until It Wasn't

Let’s not sugarcoat it—PROGRESS had lost steam.

The golden days of British Strong Style, Walter’s reign of violence, and Atlas Title bangers were starting to feel like memories on YouTube playlists. Then came the announcement: Lee McAteer has bought PROGRESS Wrestling.

It was bold. It was unexpected. It was exactly what the British scene needed.

Chapter 127: A Statement, Not Just a Show

Under new ownership, Chapter 127 didn’t whisper change—it screamed it. The presentation was grittier. The tone? More real. It felt like the spirit of the early chapters had returned, but now with modern polish. The card blended exciting UK talents with hungry international stars, giving a big-stage feel while still screaming “underground.”

Lee McAteer wasn’t interested in nostalgia. He was ready to build.

Building Stars, Not Just Using Them

One of the biggest shifts in the McAteer era? The focus on developing new British stars.

• Kid Lykos’ evolution from cult favorite to emotional heartbeat of the promotion gave fans something to believe in.

• Nick Riley & Charlie Sterling (Smokin' Aces) were presented not just as athletes, but as complex characters with grit and fire.

• And Lana Austin? She became a revelation, owning the women's division with character work and storytelling that rivaled anything on the global indie scene.

Acteer doubled down on story. PROGRESS didn’t just run matches—they ran narratives. The rise, fall, betrayal, redemption cycles that made indie wrestling matter came roaring back.

Working With the World, Staying True to the UK

Another smart move? Partnering with international talent without losing the company’s identity. Stars like Jonathan Gresham, Mike Bailey, Effy, and Kanji added flavor and legitimacy to cards, but never overshadowed the British core.

Lee McAteer made it clear: PROGRESS is not a stepping stone. It’s a destination again.

Events That Shook the Scene

Let’s talk highlights. The McAteer era has delivered some absolute bangers that deserve to be shouted from the rooftops:

• Chapter 150 – When PROGRESS Went Punk: A night that blended music, rebellion, and wrestling. A celebration of what indie wrestling should be.

• Super Strong Style 16 Tournaments under McAteer's watch? Electric. From the shocking eliminations to final showdowns that left fans breathless, SSS16 once again became can’t-miss wrestling.

And the return to the Electric Ballroom? Still church. Still sacred.

A Voice for the Scene Again

PROGRESS under Lee McAteer doesn’t just run shows—it speaks for the scene. It gives platform to rising British voices. It tells messy, brilliant stories in and out of the ring. It takes chances. It connects with fans online, offline, and in those rowdy front rows.

And let’s be honest, without McAteer’s fire and vision, the British scene might not feel as alive as it does today.

The Future is Still Being Written

This isn't a fairy tale ending—it’s the middle chapter of something important.

Lee McAteer has given PROGRESS its soul back. He’s made fans feel again. There’s still work to do—diversity, reach, and innovation all need nurturing. But the foundation has been rebuilt.

Since Chapter 127, PROGRESS Wrestling has been reborn not as a memory of what British wrestling was, but a battle cry of what it can still become.

So if you haven't been watching, now is the time.

New Faces, New Fire

The greatest mark of McAteer’s leadership is the platform he’s built for the next generation. This isn’t just about booking names that’ll sell tickets. It’s about building futures.

🔥 Gene Munny – Once a cult comedy act, now a serious main event player. His journey from meme to menace is one of PROGRESS’s finest arcs. Fans feel his grind, and that connection? It’s electric.

🔥 Rhio – She’s not just good—she’s dangerous, driven, and dead set on redefining women’s wrestling in the UK. With the right build, she could lead PROGRESS into the international spotlight.

🔥 Man Like Dereiss – A walking vibe. He’s a breakout waiting to happen, and PROGRESS is giving him the room to stretch his creativity and swagger across match cards.

🔥 Kid Lykos II – The masked prodigy with heart. Watching his chemistry with Lykos and his fearless performances screams “future world champ.”

These aren’t imports. These are homegrown. British. Authentic. And under McAteer, they matter.

Storytelling Comes First Again

We’ve seen it: wrestling isn’t just about moves—it's about meaning.

McAteer's PROGRESS is weaving layered, emotional, messy storylines. Betrayals. Comebacks. Morally grey characters. Factions that feel like families—or cults.

Take the Lana Austin Experience. It’s not just a heel group—it’s a wrestling soap opera. Friendships shattered, egos inflated, titles stolen. It brings drama. And drama brings passion.

Or the Rebirth of the Atlas Division, now framed as the land of brawlers, misfits, and redemption seekers. It’s not just “big lads wrestling” anymore—it’s psychological warfare in heavyweight boots.

A Brand That Speaks Up

One of the most overlooked but crucial parts of the McAteer era? Authenticity.

This is a PROGRESS that isn’t scared to comment on the state of the UK scene. That wants to be politically conscious, emotionally aware, and culturally relevant. From inclusivity in the locker room to platforms for LGBTQ+ performers, PROGRESS is trying to mean something again.

It’s not perfect. But it’s trying. And that matters more than ever.

Where Does It Go From Here?

Here’s what’s cooking in the minds of diehard fans—and maybe in Lee McAteer's’s office:

💥 PROGRESS x DEFY? x GCW?
We’re in the age of collaboration. More crossovers. More chaos. The scene thrives when it works together.

💥 Reviving the Tag Division
It’s time. With teams like Smokin' Aces, CPF, and Sunshine Machine, PROGRESS has the tools to build a banger tag scene again.

💥 Electric Ballroom Evolution
The Ballroom will always be home—but what if PROGRESS took the spirit of the Ballroom on the road? Imagine a PROGRESS tour that brings that raw, real energy to cities that need it. Stoke. Sheffield. Belfast.

💥 Streaming, Story, Spotlight
Whether it's demandPROGRESS or social media storytelling, the future lies in bringing this energy to screens everywhere. If they can bottle the Ballroom vibe online? It’s game over.

This Is the Revolution, Not the Nostalgia Tour

Let’s be clear—this isn’t about bringing back the past. PROGRESS isn’t chasing the ghosts of Dunne, Bate, or Seven.

It’s building something new.

Lee McAteer's isn’t just the owner. He’s the architect of a rebirth. A fan-turned-leader who gets what we crave: grit, soul, connection, and chaos.

Since Chapter 127, PROGRESS has been a slow-burning fuse. But the explosion? It’s coming.

So if you’ve been watching, keep watching. And if you haven’t? Jump in. The Ballroom is bouncing again.

The Global Landscape: The Ring is Crowded

In 2025, wrestling fans aren’t limited. They’ve got options every night of the week.

• AEW is giving you dream matches and international talent, all with a dash of chaos and passion.

• WWE has momentum again, mixing legacy stars with fresh energy.

• TNA is making noise, reminding fans why they ever fell in love with the alternative.

• Japan’s scene (NJPW, STARDOM, DDT) still oozes credibility and ring excellence.

• Indies like GCW, DEFY, and Beyond are wild, DIY, and dangerous again.

So why tune into PROGRESS?

Because no one captures the soul of wrestling like PROGRESS does.

Why PROGRESS Still Matters — And Why It Hits Different

PROGRESS is not trying to be AEW Lite. It’s not chasing WWE polish. It’s not copying GCW’s ultra-violence. It’s doing something rarer:

🎤 It’s building a community.
The fans don’t just watch—they live it. They chant, cheer, boo, cry. From the Electric Ballroom to social media, you feel the crowd. That culture? It’s priceless.

🎤 It’s prioritizing character-driven chaos.
You’re not just watching wrestlers—you’re watching humans crack, evolve, break hearts, and steal moments. Whether it’s the Lana Austin Experience or Kid Lykos’ emotional arcs, the stories stick.

🎤 It’s British. Through and through.
It doesn’t apologize for it. The grit, the humor, the rebellion—it’s a uniquely UK flavor in a global meal. While others look like TV, PROGRESS still feels like a revolution.

The Global Bridge – Where PROGRESS Can Go Next

🌍 Forge More Alliances
We’ve seen DEFY, GCW, wXw and more flirt with partnerships. It’s time to make it official. Imagine:

• Super Strong Style 16 with DEFY’s roster invading.

• PROGRESS x GCW London WarGames.

• An international women’s tournament blending the UK, Japan, and North America.

🤝 Talent Trading, Not Just Borrowing
Let PROGRESS be part of the journey, not just a pit stop. Help elevate UK talent abroad and bring global names into long-term arcs here. Create moments like Effy’s UK invasion or Mike Bailey’s emotional journeys—but build around sustainable storytelling.

🎟️ Take the Show on the Road, Worldwide
Imagine PROGRESS running shows in Berlin, Toronto, Chicago, even Tokyo—while keeping the same attitude and energy that defines the Ballroom.

PROGRESS' Role in the Wrestling Ecosystem

Let’s be honest: not every promotion has to be the biggest. Some are meant to be the spark, the proving ground, the place where magic is built before the rest of the world takes notice.

And right now? That’s PROGRESS.

🔸 Want the next breakout name before they hit AEW or WWE? Watch PROGRESS.
🔸 Want to experience storytelling with stakes and heart? Watch PROGRESS.
🔸 Want to feel like you're in the fight, not just watching from the couch? Get to the Ballroom. Watch PROGRESS.

This isn’t about being better than WWE or AEW. This is about being different. And that difference is everything.

The Legacy Continues – And the Future Is Loud

Lee McAteer hasn’t just brought PROGRESS back to life—he’s planting its flag in the middle of a global wrestling renaissance. This is the new punk movement in pro wrestling. A little unpolished, a little unpredictable, and utterly unmissable.

As the scene grows louder and brighter, PROGRESS doesn’t need to compete for attention—it just needs to keep doing what it does best:

💥 Tell stories.
💥 Build stars.
💥 Raise hell.
💥 Be real.

Because if the rest of the world is a polished stadium show, PROGRESS is the underground club where everything feels louder, sweatier, and more alive.

And in 2025, that’s exactly what wrestling needs.

PROGRESS vs The World?
Let the world come. PROGRESS is ready. And it’s not backing down.

This is the rebellion. This is the movement. This is PROGRESS.